Jobs at Neighborly

Neighborly is an ethically sourced, design-driven shop offering home goods, artwork, and gifts for urban Midwesterners. Neighborly sources many of its products from small, independent craftspeople and takes care to find products that fit our particular aesthetic style, are affordable and functional. It began in 2012 and currently operates two brick and mortar locations in Wicker Park and Lincoln Square, as well as a seasonal mini-shop on the Chicago Riverwalk. It is local and woman owned. Please visit our "About" and "Mission" pages to learn more about Neighborly.

Neighborly is currently hiring for the following positions:
> Seasonal Retail Assistant
> Freelance Visual Merchandiser

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Seasonal Retail Assistant

PT 16-30 hrs/wk

Neighborly is looking to hire a seasonal, part-time Retail Assistant to work between our Wicker Park, Lincoln Square, and Riverwalk locations through the end of 2026, as well as to assist with a few offsite events this fall. Weekend availability is required.

Retail duties include greeting customers in the shop and creating a welcoming customer experience, answering customer questions, offering suggestions, checking customers out, restocking shelves, cleaning, and maintaining shop appearance. They have the important task of representing Neighborly and sharing the shop's story with as many customers as possible throughout the day, as well as acting as an ambassador for the independent artists and makers whose products we carry.

Schedule:
2-4 shifts per week. Weekend availability is required. 
Oct 2-4, Nov 27-28, and Dec 19-24 are also required. 

Requirements:
> able to confidently approach people and naturally spark conversation; overall must possess a genuinely friendly and outgoing personality. Talking to new people all day fills your cup.

> excellent communication and customer service skills, focusing on building relationships with customers

> be excited to learn and share knowledge about our products with customers, as well as the mission of the shop

> prior experience in retail, hospitality, or a customer service role

> demonstrated interest in independently made products and/or the arts

> ambition to help out in any way, as is necessary in any small business environment

> are a quick learner and thrive in a fast paced, busy work environment

> physical requirements include ability to be on your feet the majority of the work day, lift boxes up to  25 lbs, and carry boxes up and down stairs. This is an interactive retail position, not solely a cashier. Applicants should expect to be moving their entire work day, talking with customers and keeping the shop stocked and organized.

Responsibilities:
> Staff the shop, offer an exceptional customer service - greet customers, assist them with product information and recommendations, provide an easy and pleasant shopping experience. 

> Be a team player and recognize how you can contribute to the bigger picture on a daily basis. Make our customer's days, uphold the look and feel of our store, and significantly contribute to the success of our small business and thereby the success of all the small businesses whose products we carry. This is much more than a "cashier" role, you will not be sitting behind the counter, but on the floor interacting with customers as much as possible.

> Learn in detail about our products, where and how they’re made and who they’re made by to be able to share this information with customers.

> Learn and become a wizard at using our POS system, Shopify, to checkout customers, perform returns, and look up product information and inventory.

> Basic merchandising tasks like folding Tshirts, towels, and blankets, rearranging out of place products, etc. Restock shelves when items sell, similarly, replace artwork on wall/display as needed. 

> Assist with keeping the shops clean, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, disposing of trash and recycling. Restock supplies for checkout.

Compensation:
> Starting at $17.50/hr commensurate with experience
> Annual bonus based on company performance
> PTO and sick pay each earned at 1 hr per 35 hours worked
> Employee discount

To apply:
Please no calls or drop-ins. Email your résumé and a short note about why you want to work at Neighborly. Include your specific availability through the end of the year including days of the week you are available, number of desired hours/wk, and any planned days off around the holidays. Send to getajob [at] neighborlyshop [dot] com and use subject “Seasonal Retail Assistant”. 

Neighborly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, age, citizenship status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

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Freelance Visual Merchandiser 

PT: project based

Neighborly is looking to hire a freelance visual merchandiser to assist with merchandising our two brick and mortar locations and seasonal location on the Chicago Riverwalk.

The visual merchandiser will primarily assist with installing seasonal product and window displays on an every other month basis, but also potentially consult on store layout optimization, fixture and furniture planning, and signage systems depending upon candidate's expertise. They will have the important task of enhancing the customer shopping experience while reflecting Neighborly’s Modern and elevated, yet approachable aesthetic.

Weekday morning or late evening availability is preferred to accommodate merchandising outside of store hours (11a-7p).

Projects are more frequent in Nov and Dec, availability throughout the holiday season is required.

Requirements:

> extensive past experience in retail merchandising, preferably in small boutiques (please note we are looking specifically for merchandising experience, not other areas of creative)

> knowledge of product display optimization techniques and demonstrated expertise in a customer-focused approach to merchandising

> strong eye for Modern design, color coordination, and attention to detail that aligns with Neighborly’s existing aesthetic

> up-to-date on current retail trends, particularly those in gift and home decor

> creative problem solver

> comfortable with physical tasks such as lifting boxes, climbing ladders, and moving fixtures

Responsibilities:

> execute seasonal and thematic merchandising displays to highlight new products, bestsellers, and thoughtful gifts

> create visually appealing window displays that attract foot traffic and reflect Neighborly’s style, yet work within our small business budget

> collaborate with the store owner/retail director on creative direction, as well as to ensure displays align with marketing plan and inventory purchasing

> track display performance and make adjustments as needed, keep an image journal and log of successes and failures for future installs

Compensation:

> candidate will be responsible for quoting an hourly or project based pay rate

To apply:

Please no calls or drop-ins. Email your résumé, examples of past work, and/or portfolio site, and a short note about why you want to help shape the look and feel of Neighborly to getajob [at] neighborlyshop [dot] com and use subject “Visual Merchandiser”.

Neighborly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, age, citizenship status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.